The Leader of the Opposition All People’s Congress (APC) in the Parliament of Sierra Leone, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening parliamentary oversight of electoral institutions, describing credible elections, transparency and institutional accountability as essential foundations for sustaining democracy in Sierra Leone.
Hon. Abdul Kargbo made the statement on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, following his participation in a Parliamentary Peer Learning Workshop and Dialogue organized by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) in collaboration with the Parliament of Sierra Leone.
The engagement brought renewed attention to ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s electoral governance framework, particularly the implementation of Recommendation 20 of the Tripartite Committee Report, which calls for enhanced parliamentary oversight of electoral processes and institutions.
Speaking in his capacity as Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Abdul Kargbo disclosed that he led a presentation and plenary discussion examining Sierra Leone’s electoral reform environment, the importance of effective legislative oversight and the proposed mandate of an Ad-Hoc Parliamentary Committee.
He explained that the discussions were intended to identify practical measures through which Parliament could exercise its oversight responsibilities while respecting the constitutional independence of electoral management institutions.
According to Hon. Abdul Kargbo, strengthening parliamentary scrutiny of electoral institutions is necessary to improve transparency, institutional preparedness and public confidence in the conduct of elections.
A major feature of the workshop was a presentation by electoral oversight expert Dr. Bello, who shared Nigeria’s experience in establishing parliamentary mechanisms for supervising electoral institutions.
The presentation explored how Nigeria has developed oversight committees, defined their responsibilities, established operational procedures and strengthened engagement between Parliament and electoral management bodies.
It also highlighted approaches to promoting institutional accountability without undermining the independence of bodies responsible for administering elections.
Reflecting on the presentation, Hon. Abdul Kargbo described the Nigerian experience as a valuable source of practical lessons that could guide Sierra Leone in developing an electoral oversight framework consistent with its constitutional arrangements and institutional realities.
He stressed that while international experiences could provide useful guidance, Sierra Leone must develop mechanisms that respond to its own democratic challenges and governance structures.
The APC Opposition Leader maintained that credible elections remain central to democratic stability, adding that Parliament has a fundamental responsibility to ensure electoral institutions operate transparently, remain adequately prepared and discharge their mandates effectively.
He emphasized that parliamentary oversight should not be interpreted as political interference in electoral administration but rather as an important democratic safeguard designed to promote accountability and strengthen institutional performance.
Hon. Abdul Kargbo further underscored the importance of cooperation among political parties, particularly in advancing reforms that affect the credibility and integrity of the country’s electoral system.
He observed that meaningful electoral reforms require sustained engagement, institutional strengthening and a willingness among political stakeholders to work beyond partisan differences in pursuit of national democratic interests.
The Opposition Leader also cautioned against allowing electoral reform commitments to remain confined to reports, recommendations and political declarations without corresponding institutional action.
According to him, the successful implementation of Recommendation 20 would represent an important step towards translating the findings of the Tripartite Committee into practical measures capable of strengthening public trust in electoral governance.
He reiterated his determination to collaborate with fellow parliamentarians across the political divide, electoral management institutions, development partners and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the recommendation receives the necessary attention and implementation.
Hon. Abdul Kargbo maintained that electoral reforms must ultimately serve the interests of citizens by creating a transparent, accountable and credible system in which voters can exercise their democratic rights with confidence.
He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to an electoral framework that protects the integrity of every vote, strengthens confidence in democratic institutions and ensures that the expressed will of the people is respected.
The workshop therefore provided an opportunity for parliamentary stakeholders to exchange experiences, examine international best practices and consider practical approaches to strengthening Sierra Leone’s electoral oversight arrangements.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of sustained institutional cooperation in ensuring that the country’s electoral reform agenda produces meaningful improvements in democratic governance ahead of future elections.
